Nashville Pride hopes for big crowds despite corporate pullbacks
Why it matters: Dwindling interest from some major sponsors reflects the increasingly tough political landscape LGBTQ+ pride events face this year. But festival organizers tell Axios the challenges only underscore the importance of the celebration.
State of play: In an open letter, the organizers said shrinking corporate involvement left them with "a significant budget gap." They urged supporters to "show up where others have stepped back" by buying tickets or donating to the cause.
Zoom in: Nashville Pride board member Brady Ruffin says community support for the festival is "incredibly strong." The event has grown exponentially since launching in 1988.
About 240 vendors are participating, he says.
More than 140 entertainers will be on hand throughout the weekend, starting with a Friday night concert with headliner Kim Petras.
The big picture: Pride events around the country are seeing longtime corporate allies back away this year. The trend is part of a broader backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion spurred on by the Trump administration.
Past Nashville Pride sponsor Nissan, one of the companies that stepped back this year, said its Pride pullbacks nationally were part of a broad review of marketing and sales spending, per the New York Times.
Tennessee has long been seen as a leader in anti-transgender policies. Lawmakers have pushed restrictions on drag queens and gender-affirming health care.
Last week, the Supreme Court upheld the state's ban on gender-affirming care for minors.
The Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention recently passed a resolution supporting efforts to reverse Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark case that legalized same-sex marriage 10 years ago.
What they're saying: Ruffin tells Axios that this year's event "feels more pressing and needed than ever."
" The pushback we're facing politically only reinforced why this work matters," Ruffin says. "We're not just throwing a parade or a party or a festival — we're building a platform and making a statement.
"In a time when we're hearing a lot of harmful rhetoric from the highest levels of leadership, it's crucial to create spaces that celebrate joy, resilience and visibility."
If you go: Pride events will run Friday-Sunday. Tickets for the Friday night concert at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park are $44. Festival passes for Saturday and Sunday start at $10.
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